Leu Gardens

I think I made a comment about us going to Leu Gardens and we went today.  I think we walked about 3 miles (or it at least felt like it) in the balmy 90 degree heat.  We did see some beautiful flowers and I thought I'd share them.

God's creations are beautiful!

Blessings, Barbara

Here it is the 19th of May and the year is almost half over.  I wonder how many of you have taken advantage of the freedom we've been given in your areas.  Peyton and I took the kids to the mall yesterday and there was hardly anyone there.  In the food court only 3 places were open to get food at and we picked Chick fil a  because of the reputation they have for being clean.  All the tables were 6 feet apart and everyone that worked in the mall were wearing masks.  Not too many patrons had them on.  I did and so did the kids but not Peyton.  Because of her Trigeminal Neuralgia it hurts her something fierce to wear one so I don't blame her for not.  These are masks I made the boys and they think it's a great game to play.  You can see the knots of the elastic because I hadn't tried them on when this was taken and once I knew they fit okay, I pulled the knots into the seams so they were hidden.

I have been working on a cowl for myself and it's one I made before and I love it.  This one was made using a wool yarn from Twisted Hues on Etsy.  Love the colors and I can wear it with so many different tops.

Over Mother's Day weekend we took a trip to Tampa.  Peyton's husband John always visits his Mother's grave on that day and they invited me along.  He wanted me to take a picture of the kids beside their Grandmother's grave.  

And here they are at the bay picking up shells.

Speaking of kids, here's the newest one enjoying her first meal of macaroni and cheese and can you tell she loves it!!

I  started a small design to work at the same time I'm working on the large Mirabilia.  This one is by Plum Street Samplers and is called "Black Cherry Tart (Jack's Sweet Shoppe).  I'm stitching it on 32ct. Valor from Picture This Plus.  

And last but not least my little finish of a Jeannette Douglas freebie to Be Well.  I love her colors.  I added the tiny bee at the bottom just to make it personal.

I'm gathering the parts to the Fat Quarter Shop SAL and I'm not so sure I'm going to stitch it.  I'm waiting for the last 2 parts before deciding.

Well my hubby was denied short term disability so we wasted all this time when he could of been receiving unemployment.  He put in for it last week so who knows when he might receive it.  Like everything else during this time... be patient.  Don't know about you but I'm tired of hearing that phrase.

We are going to Lei Gardens this Thursday to get the kids outside so they can run off some energy.  I wish someone could explain to me why gyms and workout centers were allowed to reopen but not playgrounds.  Trust me in this hot sun here in Florida, no virus is going to live for long on playground equipment.

Please stay healthy where you are 

and many Blessings Upon You,

Barbara

A New Start

Good evening ladies and I hope all of you are in fine fiddle these days.  Anyone else getting the heeby jeebys?  I did go to my LNS yesterday.  She was only letting one person in at a time and you had to make an appointment.  Mine was very expensive.  LOL

Remember the Shepherd's Bush pattern that I didn't have the legend for?  Well I finished it and I really do like it.  I used only silks on it of various brands and I happen to like mine better than the original.  I finally found a picture of what it should look like:

But this one is mine:

I truly like how mine turned out and it was  fun picking my own colors instead of going by the designer.

I started a Mirabilia design called Red Winter Gift and I'm stitching it on a piece of 30ct. snowflake printed fabric by The Primitive Hare.  I love how it's turning out.

This is what it will look like ....except with the printed snowflake fabric .....when finished.

I hope all of you are taking the proper precautions set out by our government but I really do think it's time to reopen.  Too many people are out of work and with the proper handling, I can't see any problem with some businesses opening.  JMO

Have you ladies seen this:

It's a limited edition by With My Needle and Thread and only so many copies will be made.  Get yours from your LNS or online.  Mine is already reserved.

Blessings, Barbara

Hope Everyone is Healthy

We are here and I'm hoping that all of my followers are also healthy.  I heard some disturbing news yesterday and I just can't wrap my mind around why they are doing this.  Two doctors in California made a video and posted it on Youtube about how their hospital is forcing them to add Covid-19 to death certificates even though they are sure that patient didn't have the virus.  This makes no sense to me.  Why would they be doing this?  Youtube has pulled the video from their website because of what they call "misunderstandings".  What?  These doctors are on the front line and should be listened to.  And what's up with our Vice President going to John Hopkins Hospital and refusing to put a mask on?   This is not the time to play games.  He should obey the laws just like everyone else has to.  

I've been busy stitching and finished two little designs.  The second one I don't even remember who the designer was so if you know please tell me.  The first was by Jeannette Douglas .

This one is a BBD design called "Waiting for the Harvest" and I'm stitching it on a Painter's Thread fabric called Klimt and the rick rack and the single loop embellishment will be used when I do the finishing part.  I'm stitching it with DMC 3371.  I love this fabric and they have some very unusual dye colors that they use.  I have three other pieces that are different colors that I'm saving for something special.

Here I'm getting together some threads and fabric that I want to stitch a sampler with.  I'm using a medium grey fabric from Access Commodities that really shows off the pinks, burgundies and purples.  Can't wait to start that one/.

I also have a problem with a Shepherd's Bush pattern that I have.  I made my working copy and then sold the original.  Now I can't find the legend that tells me what colors to use.  I've come up with the idea that I'm just going to pick my own and see what happens.  The poem on it reads "She tends her garden of gladness and fears nurtured with love and watered with tears".  I just love that saying.  So wish me luck on that one.

Also remember the shawl "my fair lady".  Well I've determined that I am not suppose to make that and have given up on it.  I found a nicer yarn to work with but I just couldn't stop making mistakes and these I would find after I had done more rows.  So that one I'm giving up on and that's hard for me to do.

Stay safe, keep stitching and many Blessings to all,

Barbara

Update:  I was told the wrong information about Vice President Pence and I would like to set the record straight.  It was not John Hopkins but the Mayo Clinic and they have an option of wearing a mask or not.  I don't want to be the spreader of wrong information.  Thanks

Andrea Bocelli: Music For Hope - Live From Duomo di Milano

I hope you enjoy this beautiful music and that he gives you hope that some time this will be over and our lives will return to normal.

I did start My Fair Lady shawl over again but going in a completely different direction.  If you remember the movie there are two times that she wears a white gown.  At the horse races where it is white and black and then at the ball where it is all white with lots of sparkles.  Well I've picked a yarn that starts out white and ends up black and in the black section which will be the outside edge of the shawl I will be adding beads to give it that sparkle.  Wish me luck that I finally get this shawl finished that I so love.

Blessings Upon All This Easter Sunday,

Barbara

Bored Bored Bored

I have discovered something.  When I have the decision of whether or not I want to go someplace I feel good and want to do a lot of stitching.....BUT when someone tells me I can't go anyplace then I can't find anything interesting to do.  Am I the only one?

I did stitch The Drawn Thread's freebie "Be Well" and finished it up today into a coaster for my tea cup.  Here it is all finished.

I came across something interesting at The Fat Quarter Shop.  They are hosting a SAL and the price is really quite reasonable.  This is a shop exclusive cross stitch design and is very spring looking.

Here is the web page if you are interested in joining. 

https://www.fatquartershop.com/feels-like-home-downloadable-pdf-cross-stitch-pattern-series

I went to Costco today at 7 am and found the line already forming.  My hubby and I are okay with everything we need but the kids needed some TP and paper towels.  They had a policewoman there in case anything got out of hand but everyone acted accordingly and it went smoothly.  

My hubby has gone on disability because his doctor does not want him around anyone until this pandemic is over.  He has no immune system to speak of so he wouldn't be able to fight this virus very well.  Every time I leave I wear a mask and as soon as I get home I take a hot shower.  So far we have been making it work with him working from home and it's great that his company is allowing it.  Where he works is considered "essential" because they have government contracts that must be finished on time.  

I hope every one has been in good health and have had no complications from this virus.  I say prayers every night for the families who have lost loved ones  and are going thru terrible times.  Please stay well and I send my blessings to each and every one of my readers.  I might not comment on many blogs but I do get inspiration from all of you and I thank you for that.  We as a town, city, state, country and world will get thru this with God's help.

Blessings, Barbara

Updates

I hope this coronavirus has passed on by your house and that you are all safe.  We are into our second week of quarantine and so far no signs of us being infected.  I am astounded about the amount of people in NY that have become infected and I am maddened by the fact that yesterday Orlando Airport had over 190 flights from NY.  I'm sure we'll see Florida's numbers go up rather quickly now.  

Don't people have any common sense anymore?  We had spring breakers down here on our beaches until the Governor closed them.  Where are their parents?  Don't they have any common sense at least?

Remember I was working on my beautiful My Fair Lady shawl?  

Well it's now in the garbage can.  I missed an entire row and when I tried to undo it, it turned into the worse mess I've ever seen.  I will retry this pattern but with a yarn that has no trouble being undone.  It broke my heart to can it but there was no saving it.  I still have 2 1/2 balls left so I have enough to make a cowl but this time I will use a pattern I am very familiar with.

I'm sure all of you are busy stitching away if you've been house bound like I have.  I'm still working on Memorial Day by Hands on Design and am enjoying it immensely.  I love the bright beautiful colors Kathy used in it.

Please be careful wherever you live and stay safe and at home.

Blessings, Barbara

It Has Hit Home

I hope all of you are doing well during this pandemic and not getting phone calls like I did this morning.  Last week I went to my family doctor because I had pink eye and I needed drops.  Well I just received a call saying that I came in contact with a person who has tested positive for the virus and now me and my husband have been quarantined.  It just shows how you come in contact with people and then you don't think of it again.  The Health office told me what to look for:  cough, temperature or trouble breathing.  If we have any of these symptoms to be tested immediately.

I did receive an email from Cynthia of The Drawn Thread and she is offering a free chart for us to stitch.  This is what it looks like....

.....and THIS is where you find it.  I think it's very sweet of Cynthia to offer this free chart and I know I'll be stitching it while I'm home bound for the next 14 days.

Blessings Upon You,

Barbara

Stay Safe

Hope everyone is staying safe and staying home and doing some serious stitching.  I ventured out today to go to my LNS and I am so happy that I did.  I got to meet one of my favorite designers, Jeannette Douglas.  I have talked with her about one of her designs but never met her.  She is a sweetheart.  She was a little bit worried about her flight home to Calgary Canada so say a little prayer that she makes it back okay.  I know this virus has all of us worried but if anything, it will make us stronger as a country.  Just take the precautions and everyone will be fine

This is the design I purchased of Jeannette's.  Common Thread 2 and she autographed it for me.  It comes with all the silk threads and I also purchased the fabric to stitch it on.  Instead of the cream you see in the picture, mine will be on a pale grey called Platinum from Access Commodities. 

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I started a new cross stitch because the La D Da one just wasn't doing it for me.  This one is from a designer I love....Hands On Design and it's called "Memorial Day".  I'm doing it on a 32 count hand dyed that is a light blue with speckles of white thru it.  To me it looks like a beautiful summer day.  Here's mine:

and this should be what it looks like when it's finished but on the blue fabric.

She has a thread pack that goes with it of the Sulky 12 wt. cotton thread which I purchased also.

I was such a bad girl with all the goodies that Debbie brought back from Nashville I shouldn't have to purchase anything for at least 6 months.  Who am I kidding?  LOL

So stay safe and please say a prayer for those inflicted with this virus.

Blessings, Barbara